Potatoes are arguably the greatest vegetable around, so I figured I'd pay them some homage and share my favorite cheap potato recipes with you. There's a huge range of recipes here, spanning from a basic baked potato to homemade sweet potato gnocchi. Here are some easy and cheap potato recipes you can whip up without waiting for payday. 

1. Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

rosemary, balsamic, garlic
Megan Seligman

When I’m in a pinch for dinner, I always end up falling back on roasted potatoes. They’re easy, and they’re worth the time. It's a super simple potato side dish. All you need for this one is potatoes, oil, and seasoning—and you probably already have most of that. 

2. Apple Bacon-Stuffed Sweet Potato

vegetable, chocolate, dairy product, meat, sweet
Emily Hu

When you need something a little on the sweet side, this recipe has got your back. Think about those sticky cinnamon apples you had growing up, now stuff them in a sweet potato. Those sweet apples and salty bacon are a match made in heaven. Have your dessert with your meal, and don’t even feel a little guilty about it.

3. Microwave Baked Potato

cake
Liam Kennison

Sometimes you have a bad day and you just need a baked potato. And sometimes you need that baked potato now! The microwave baked potato is just as delicious and twice as fast as a potato basked in the oven. What’s extra great about this recipe is you can make it your own—dress up that potato how you like it.

4. Perfect Hangover Hash

hash, bacon, onion, potato
Alex Vu

If you’re anything like me, you would eat breakfast for every meal of the day. Especially breakfast for dinner. Are you still hungover after last night’s festivities? Well, here is the perfect hangover hash.

#SpoonTip: You don’t have to hungover to eat this and it’s still just as amazing. 

5. No-Fry Sweet Potato Falafel

herb, meat, spinach, vegetable
Diana Ghidanac

This recipe is an example of the potato taking the main stage. This one’s for all of you vegetarians out there. This recipe is the sweet potato spin on classic falafel. Falafel is warm and hearty, and adding sweet potato just bumps up the comfort factor. 

6. Pumpkin and Potato Soup

pumpkin, bread, vegetable, cream, soup
Matt Volpe

This soup is great for when you feel like stepping out of your comfort zone a little bit. This recipe is super hearty and is probably the definition of an easy and cheap potato recipe. I love this soup because it's super easy to whip up on those cold rainy days or when I just need a little pick-me-up.

7. BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato

pork, beef, pepper, sauce, meat, vegetable
Rayna Mohrmann

This is may be one of my favorite quick and easy potato dishes. It only has three ingredients, but it tastes far more elaborate. This quick meal will satisfy your BBQ cravings without leaving you short-changed.

8. Gnocchi with Brown Butter Sauce and Pancetta

gnocchi, meat, chicken
Ethan Cappello

Gnocchi is my weakness, let me tell you. This recipe sounds difficult because you’re making your own pasta, but gnocchi is possibly the easiest pasta to make. This recipe also only has eight ingredients. It will make you fell like a real chef with little skill or effort required. 

9. Veggie Scramble

potato, spinach, sweet, sweet potato
Emily Waples

Scrambles are a great way to have breakfast for dinner recipe. This one has more of a southwestern spin on it with the black beans. The best thing about it is you can make it your own—add whatever you're feeling or whatever you have lying around.

10. Vegan Sweet Potato, Kale, and Chickpea Bowl

kale, broccoli, vegetable
Megan Prendergast

This is one of those quick and easy potato dishes for all of the vegans out there, or for those of you who want to eat healthier. This bowl is super quick and easy to whip up. It will leave you feeling full.

I love potatoes because they're super cheap and super easy to make. These cheap potato recipes can take your next "I have nothing in my pantry" meal to the next level without you having to spend a single penny. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.